The Common Whitethroat (Sylvia communis) is a small songbird of the warbler family native to Europe and western Asia. It is one of the most common warblers and is known for its melodious song. Although grey warbler Modest in appearance, she compensates for this with active behavior and an interesting life strategy.
The body length of this bird is approximately 13-15 centimeters, and the wingspan is about 19-24 cm. The average weight is 12-18 grams. The gray warbler has a rather modest plumage: the upper part of the body is brownish-gray, and the lower part is light, almost white. In the mating season, males have a reddish tint on the sides and throat. In females, the coloring is less bright.
The adult male's head is greyish-brown, and the eyes are dark, with a thin light ring. The head of the female and young birds is more uniform. The whitethroat prefers to live in bushes, on the edges of forests, in gardens and parks. It is active and energetic, often moving among bushes and low-growing trees, getting food. The main diet consists of insects, spiders and berries, especially in late summer and autumn.
The song of the whitethroat is melodic and iridescent, alternating rapid trills and short phrases. Males sing to attract females and mark territory.
The whitethroat is a migratory bird, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa, returning to Europe in spring (usually April-May) to breed. Nests are built in bushes, not high above the ground, from grass and twigs. The clutch usually contains 4-5 eggs, which are incubated by both parents.
The whitethroat is often confused with other representatives of the warblers, as many of them have similar colors and habits:
- Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin) – it is more uniform, without pronounced contrasts in plumage. Its song is somewhat more monotonous and soft.
- Juvenile Blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla) - have similar coloration, but adult males of this warbler have a distinctive black cap.
- Young robins (Erithacus rubecula) – can also resemble the grey warbler in general appearance, but adult robins have a noticeable reddish spot on the chest, which the warbler does not have.
- Flycatchers are similar in size and behavior, however flycatchers, as a rule, have a lighter abdomen and chest, and also stand out for their different behavior (they often sit on a branch and catch insects in flight).
Thus, the whitethroat is a bird with an inconspicuous but interesting appearance and an important role in the ecosystem, and its melodic song often becomes a distinctive feature.
